EP REVIEW: Grass – Powerplant

London punk band Powerplant have just put out their latest EP Grass. Originally starting out as a one-man project by frontman Theo Zhykhayev in 2017, the band officially became a four-piece in 2019, the same year that they released their debut album People In The Sun. The main aim of this latest EP is to make a return to that debut in the days when everything was recorded and produced in a bedroom, only this time a bit more polished, which does explain some of the more chaotic elements on here that might come as a surprise if going in blindly.

Opening with the title-track, the EP greets its listeners with a fast rhythm guitar and low vocals that help to create intrigue and just ooze coolness. Sounds standard so far, right? Ha, you fool! Random sound effects are introduced into the mix with one sample sounding like a choir and then another a section from an orchestra, all of which add an 80s vibe to the song. Moving onto Broodmother, the record takes a different direction as we are instead greeted by a bass that helps to shape a moody atmosphere, and with a creepy effect on the vocals we can’t help but imagine this used in a gothic horror film. You know, like in a scene where there’s a dingy club with an unsettling feeling of something not being quite right? You know what we mean.

As the EP continues it becomes more apparent as to why Loud And Quiet dubbed POWERPLANT “London hardcore’s weirdest band,” as perfectly demonstrated with Walk Around (Hang My Head) which opens with what sounds like Christmas bells (!?) before moving back into the low-quality style of vocals and instruments. They certainly like to keep the listener on their toes with their merging of alternative rock and electronic synths. After having a quick break with interlude track 3 Medallions the EP arrives at its closer Beautiful Boy, which is certainly the most punk sounding song on the record complete with gentle synths at the beginning that soon become much more intense towards the end that add a more sci-fi feel to the song, further confirmed with the use of doomsday alarms.

Grass is an EP that certainly manages to surprise. Whilst, admittedly, this won’t be for everyone, it’s certainly a unique take on the punk genre with the use of styles and effects one wouldn’t expect. Regardless, it’s still something you should listen to at least once.

Rating: 7/10

Grass is out now via Static Shock Records.

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